— This is how I like to see you. — Dante said, smiling.
— Like what? — I said, confused.
— Happy and up to something.
— Let's focus on the movie, okay?
— Sure, I'll do that for you. — Dante said.
We watched the movie peacefully, and though I was nervous and tense, I tried not to let it show. After the movie ended, Lucy and Nick announced they were leaving since they had to get up early.
— Kyra, we have to go, but thanks for everything! — Lucy said, hugging me.
— No problem! I'm the one who's thankful for you coming.
— Bye, you grump! — Nick said.
— I know you love me, big brother! — I said, laughing and teasing him.
— Since I'm hitching a ride, I should go too, so I won't pressure you. — Dante said.
— But you already are. — Nick said.
— Nick, are you my friend? Can you help me out here? — Dante said.
Nick started laughing. It was evident that everyone was teasing Dante.
— Alright, but you'll have to prove your worth again! — Lucy said.
— I know, but I want her working for me! She's an amazing writer, and if I lose her, my chief editor will kill me!
— I know it's just for your company. — Lucy said, giving him a stern look.
— What else would it be, Lucy? — I asked awkwardly. — Well, my answer is still no, and it's fine, good night! You guys need rest. — I said, pushing them towards the door.
— She's so eager to get rid of us! — Nick said, pretending to be upset.
— How did you find out? — I said, laughing.
— Alright, alright, we're leaving! — He said.
I escorted them to the door, bid them farewell, and they left my apartment. When I closed the door, I leaned against it. What was that?
My brain couldn't think straight, I was just in shock. It was like reliving the past all over again... I wasn't prepared for this, and I had thought I had forgotten about it, but it seemed all my efforts were in vain.
— Ugh, how annoying! After all this time, he decides to show up and starts saying nonsensical things, as if I really mattered to him... Honestly! — I said, irritated.
"If Dante thought he could win my heart again quickly, he was completely mistaken..." — I thought.
***************************
— Dante, what did you do? — Trish asked.
— What do you mean? I don't get you. — I defended myself.
— Kyra turned down my offer again and said you went to her apartment yesterday.
— I did, but I didn't talk about her being a writer. In fact, I went to find out where she currently lives and asked for help from a couple of friends.
— I presume it didn't go as planned, right?
— No, but it went better than I had imagined.
— Explain!
— She was shocked that I appeared out of nowhere, and wasn't as friendly with me as she used to be in the past, but she also didn't kick me out of her apartment, which is already a victory.
— Thinking about it that way, you're right. What's your plan? — Trish said, placing both arms on the table as if to intimidate me.
— I'll tell you, but just so you know, acting like this won't intimidate me.
— As if I wanted to... — Trish said, laughing.
— Here's what I thought: I'm going to put a little pressure on her to start working with us. If I'm persistent, she'll give in.
— Okay, the big strategy of persistence, who hasn't done that? — She said, raising her arms in a "whatever" gesture. — And then?
— We'll make things go right by publishing and marketing her books.
— At the same time you're trying to win her heart again, I presume?
— Exactly!
— The thing is: will you succeed? If you're too pushy, you might end up losing the second chance destiny gave you.
— I know, I'm taking that into consideration. — I said, getting up from the chair and looking thoughtfully out my window.
— I believe we can arrange some trips, and events for you to attend with her, under the pretext that there's no one else who can go with her. — Trish's Machiavellian mind began working at full speed.
— Good thing I'm your friend, Trish, what a wicked mind you have! — I said, pretending to be shocked.
— As if your mind is any different from mine... — Trish said, turning around and leaving my office.
I laughed thinking about what she had said. Without a doubt, my mind was no less than hers; in certain moments, it was even worse.
***************************
I woke up to my morning alarm. I was somewhat nervous because I had dreamed about Dante all night.
— That wretched worm! — I said, feeling much better.
I couldn't believe I had dreamt about making out with him all night. I was in a pink nightgown, and he was shirtless. I have to admit, I actually enjoyed the dream and woke up all sweaty.
This was terrible; my pride would never allow me to admit that I liked the dream, so it was so satisfying to curse him.
— You got this together, Kyra! — I said to myself.
I got up, took a shower, made that wonderful coffee, and went to write my column for the newspaper that would be published tomorrow. I wanted more than just a small column in a newspaper, but the thought of having to see Dante every day made my stomach churn. I knew it was a unique opportunity, one I would regret for the rest of my life if I let it slip, but my heart wouldn't bear to see him with someone else again. If he was still the same old Dante, there would be mood swings and behaviors that didn't make me feel secure.
— Well, I'm not going to dwell on this now. I should focus on my work. — I said, giving myself a couple of slaps on the face.
I wrote the rest of the morning and got so into it that I had already drafted two chapters: one for tomorrow and the day after. I felt so good knowing there were readers for my columns. It's so rewarding, and a unique feeling to see the number of people commenting and participating in the creation of a magnificent project. I was so proud that any negative feelings that came my way were immediately chased off.
Then I heard my doorbell ring... Who could it be? Dante again, perhaps?
I hurried to the door, apprehensive, hoping it was Dante. I opened it and saw Diana smiling at me. I breathed a sigh of relief and was somewhat disappointed.
"Snap out of it, Kyra! What's this now?" — I thought.
— Hey Di, how are you? Come on in. — I said, making space for her to pass.
— My, Kyra, were you expecting someone else? The look you gave when you saw it was me seemed a bit disappointed. — Diana said, laughing.
— Your impression, Di. It's not a big deal.
— Were you waiting for Dante? — She asked curiously.
— No way, why would I wait for him?
— Maybe for the same reason I waited for Dominic for ten years. — She said with a mischievous grin.
— Di, you know very well that I don't see myself with him, even though he offered me my dream job as a romantic comedy writer.
— What? — She said surprised. — You accepted on the spot, didn't you?
— Of course not. I don't want to see him every day... It's painful.
— Painful in what sense, Kyra? — She said, sitting on the living room couch.
— Because of the past, Di. — I said, lowering my gaze to avoid looking at her.
— I want the truth, Kyra, stop lying to yourself.
— About seeing him with someone else. Was that the truth you wanted to hear?
— Yes... I understand your feelings, I know how much you've suffered because of him, but isn't it unfair to yourself to miss a chance to live your dream because of the past, Kyra?
For a moment, I was lost in thought... I didn't know what to say, but I knew Di was right. My wounded pride was blinding me; that was evident.
I sighed and sat down on the couch next to her.
— I know, Di, you're right, but I don't know what to do. I'm scared, I'm insecure about my heart.
— What you can do right now is think about yourself and ask: What does Kyra want to do right now?
— I want to become a writer.
— And are you going to let your pride trample over your dreams?
— I shouldn't...
— Exactly! Besides, everyone knows you still love that thick-headed guy. It's clear. But hold on for a while; maybe it won't be as bad as you imagine.
— Yes, Di, do you want some coffee? — I said, getting up to fetch one for myself.
— I do, your coffee is wonderful! — She said, all excited.
I served two cups of coffee with milk, handed one to her, and sat back down.
— Thank you, Kyra.
— Don't you want to eat anything? I bought a really good orange cake.
— I'll pass on the cake. I came here to give you an invitation.
I looked at her apprehensively. What invitation was she going to present to me?
— Diana, you're killing me with all this mystery... I'm an impatient person; just tell me what the invitation is about.
— Calm down, calm down... I want you to be my maid of honor at my wedding.
— Wait, you've been engaged for 5 years? I thought you had already gotten married. — I said, surprised.
— Well, you know, we've been living together for 4 years, but we postponed the wedding because we were tied up with house construction, my job, and his... It's a long story... Anyway, will you accept or not?
— Of course, I accept!
— Yay, that's awesome! I just need to tell you one thing...
— I already know what's coming... Dante will be there.
— Exactly! As your plus one.